AUBURNDALE, Fla. – Unable to generate a sustained offense, the University of Mary baseball team dropped a doubleheader to Tiffin University. The Dragons shut out the Marauders twice, 8-0 and 4-0, in a pair of NCAA Division II non-conference contests.
In the opener, the Marauders had chances to score in each of the first three innings but double plays ended every opportunity.
Andrew Beyer reached on an error to open the game and
Brad Meyer hit a one-put single. The Dragons escaped unscathed when it turned a strike out – caught stealing double play to end the inning.
In the second,
Mason Schiff and
Tom Imholte posted one-out singles. Dragons right fielder Kurt Barbeau ended the Marauders threat by catching
Seth Meide's fly ball and throwing out Schiff at home attempting to score.
Chris Scott led off the third with a single up the middle and moved to second on a one-out base hit by
Jason Shaul. The threat ended as
Brad Meyer then bounced into a 4-6-3 double play.
Shaul was the last Marauders hitter to reach base as U-Mary went down in order the last four innings of the game.
Marauders starting pitcher
Zach Steckler kept the game close through the first four innings, allowing just single runs in the second and third innings.
The Dragons touched a trio of Marauders hurlers for five runs in the fifth inning. After Steckler allowed a one-out single and walk,
Evan Morehead came on in relief and was immediately tagged for a two-run triple by Garret Verneau. Three more runs followed for a 7-0 Tiffin lead.
Steckler struck out four in 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs.
Alec DeMaria allowed one earned runs in two innings. Isaac Saad retired the two hitters he faced, including one on strikes.
Mike Cooperider picked up the win for the Dragons, striking out four in five scoreless innings.
The Marauders offensive issues continued into the second game, leaving two runners on in the first inning and running into a double play in the second.
A two-out run-scoring double to right in the bottom of the second by Ryan Davis provided the Dragons with the only run they needed.
Looking to tie the game in the third, Scott knocked a two-out single through the right side but was thrown out at home attempting to score from first on a two-out double down the left field line by Shaul.
The Dragons broke the game open in the bottom of the third, generating two runs on four singles. Tiffin added a fourth run in the fifth.
Making his first start for the Marauders, Meyer allowed four runs in five innings, striking out six without allowing a walk.
Travis Holte struck out two in a perfect inning.
Kevin Borst limited the Marauders to four hits and didn't walk a batter in five innings to pick up the win. He struck out one hitter.
After a day off, the Marauders return to action with a single game against Lewis on Tuesday, March 1.
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